Hurricane Sandy’s Effects Reaching Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Some local businesses are feeling the strain of delayed flights, power outages and damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Sandy is hitting Minnesota — from tourist attractions, to concerts, to even the restaurant business.

Co-owner of The Dakota in downtown Minneapolis, Lowell Pickett, is feeling a bit of the blues. Headliner Maria Schneider, a Minnesota-native, and most of her orchestra won’t make it to Tuesday night’s show.

“It’s an inconvenience at the least, it’s certainly a bit of a hit,” Pickett said.

Ticket holders will likely have to wait until the spring to see Schneider.

But the music will go on in one way, and do some good.

“The music will be world class and the music will be free to anybody that stops in, but we’re asking people for donations,” Pickett said as other local musicians will attend, team-up and help raise as much money as possible.

Funds raised will go to the Red Cross for Hurricane Relief Efforts. And the Twin Cities’ Red Cross Chapter is already busy with critical blood and platelet donations. Hurricane Sandy shut down more than 300 blood drives in 14 states.

“I just scheduled my appointment last week, but I’m glad I’m here, and possibly my platelets will help out where they might be the most needed,” Tammy Bumgarner said.

To donate, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

At the Mall of America’s Sea Life Aquarium, they’re going old school.

“Our servers kind of went down, and our online tickets are down as well, so we’re telling guests to come here to get the online discount,” said John Sullwold.

But the aquarium, just one of several area businesses seeing online outages, is also experiencing something else.

“I think we’re seeing a lot more visitors, who are stuck at the airport. Because of light rail, they can come over here see some fish,” Sullwold said.